“There do not seem to be any valid and legal reasons why limitations or restrictions should be applied to the defendants’ rights to freedom of expression and assembly,” the report says. “The defendants participated peacefully in a protest, which is protected under domestic and international law.”

CCHR president Ou Virak said the women’s sentencing, which came two days after their arrest and hours after they were charged with disputing authorities and occupying land awarded to developer Shukaku, was a “gross miscarriage of justice”.

“From a careful analysis of the facts and an application of the law, it is clear . . . the entire judicial procedure was a flagrant breach of the women’s fair trial rights,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ou Kong Chea, husband of imprisoned Boeung Kak village representative Tep Vanny, expressed further concern yesterday at four of the women prisoners’ decision to go on a hunger strike that began on Sunday.

“I am extremely worried about the health of my wife because she has suffered from a stomach disease for many months,” he said.